Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 6, 2026
10:44
Translating Extracellular Electron Transfer Activities with Organic Electrochemical Transistors
Published on: January 31, 2025
1.4K
Imaging the sub-moiré potential using an atomic single electron transistor
Dahlia R Klein1, Uri Zondiner1, Amit Keren1,2
1Department of Condensed Matter Physics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
Nature
|February 4, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed an atomic single electron transistor (SET) to image electrostatic potentials in moiré lattices. This breakthrough provides the first direct visualization of these crucial energy landscapes in engineered materials.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Electrons in solids are governed by periodic potentials.
- Moiré lattices enable engineered nanoscale potential landscapes.
- Direct imaging of these potentials has been a significant challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a novel scanning probe, the atomic single electron transistor (SET).
- To achieve the first direct imaging of electrostatic potentials in moiré superlattices.
- To investigate the properties of these potentials in engineered heterostructures.
Main Methods:
- Development of an atomic SET using a single atomic defect in a van der Waals material.
- Utilizing the quantum twisting microscope (QTM) platform for high-resolution imaging.
- Scanning probe microscopy to map electrostatic potentials at the nanoscale.
Main Results:
- First direct images of electrostatic potential in graphene/hexagonal boron nitride moiré superlattices obtained.
- Measured potential exhibits C6 symmetry, low carrier density dependence, and ~60 mV amplitude.
- Potential amplitude significantly exceeds theoretical predictions, indicating incomplete theoretical understanding.
Conclusions:
- The atomic SET is a powerful tool for ultrasensitive potential sensing with 1 nm resolution.
- Direct imaging reveals complex potential landscapes in moiré systems.
- Findings challenge existing theories and open new avenues for exploring quantum phenomena.
Related Concept Videos
03:26Electron Configuration of Multielectron Atoms
65.1K
The alkali metal sodium (atomic number 11) has one more electron than the neon atom. This electron must go into the lowest-energy subshell available, the 3s orbital, giving a 1s22s22p63s1 configuration. The electrons occupying the outermost shell orbital(s) (highest value of n) are called valence electrons, and those occupying the inner shell orbitals are called core electrons. Since the core electron shells correspond to noble gas electron configurations, we can abbreviate electron...
65.1K
02:28Electronic Structure of Atoms
28.8K
An atom comprises protons and neutrons, which are contained inside the dense, central core called the nucleus, with electrons present around the nucleus. Taking into account the wave–particle duality of electrons and the uncertainty in position around the nucleus, quantum mechanics provides a more accurate model for the atomic structure. It describes atomic orbitals as the regions around the nucleus where electrons of discrete energy exist, characterized by four quantum...
28.8K
01:33Atomic Structure
210.1K
Overview
210.1K
02:44Atomic Orbitals
44.1K
An atomic orbital represents the three-dimensional regions in an atom where an electron has the highest probability to reside. The radial distribution function indicates the total probability of finding an electron within the thin shell at a distance r from the nucleus. The atomic orbitals have distinct shapes which are determined by l, the angular momentum quantum number. The orbitals are often drawn with a boundary surface, enclosing densest regions of the cloud.
44.1K
03:24Hybridization of Atomic Orbitals I
67.6K
The mathematical expression known as the wave function, ψ, contains information about each orbital and the wavelike properties of electrons in an isolated atom. When atoms are bound together in a molecule, the wave functions combine to produce new mathematical descriptions that have different shapes. This process of combining the wave functions for atomic orbitals is called hybridization and is mathematically accomplished by the linear combination of atomic orbitals. The new orbitals that...
67.6K
03:21The Energies of Atomic Orbitals
30.2K
In an atom, the negatively charged electrons are attracted to the positively charged nucleus. In a multielectron atom, electron-electron repulsions are also observed. The attractive and repulsive forces are dependent on the distance between the particles, as well as the sign and magnitude of the charges on the individual particles. When the charges on the particles are opposite, they attract each other. If both particles have the same charge, they repel each other.
30.2K